Charting a new course! Notre Dame HS cross country girls fast forward to solid showings

By Rick Menning

WEST HAVEN, CT -- As their historic journey began on a sweltering day in early September, the mindset of the girls representing the Notre Dame High School coed cross country team centered on positivity and perseverance.

Facing the challenge of a 3.1-mile course -- complete with terrain that included natural peaks and valleys in terms of its hilly nature -- the Green Knights' runners powered ahead through the conditions and successfully finished the race.

TRIPLE THREAT: The Notre Dame High School girls cross country runners completed their inaugural season with plenty to be proud of as they set the pace for future success.

For the three girls -- Alison Maloney, Yamilet Lembrino-Ortiz and Mia Delgado; all of whom started and completed the first season of high school coed cross country -- there was satisfaction in doing the best they could while venturing into a new sport.

Their efforts brought a sense of fulfillment to Head Coach Rich Andreozzi, who watched as the trio ascended from their inexperience in the rigors of cross country to achieving milestones that in the early going they never thought possible.

On Sept. 2, Alison, Yamilet and Mia couldn't have imagined not only finishing that 3.1-mile pursuit but also -- in the coming weeks --displaying continual improvement and reaching the goal of completing the entire season

They all made great strides, and their willpower was not lost on their very proud coach.

"Despite the 80-degree heat and a hilly course, they all finished the race," Andreozzi said. "I have been coaching for 10 years at ND and the addition of the girls overall has been a positive experience."

Not only did the three Green Knights' freshmen pass their initial test with flying colors, but they made an immediate statement that resolve reaps rewards.

Alison was among the top 20 finishers in that historic first meet for Notre Dame, while Mia and Yamilet crossed the finish line in 42 minutes. All three overcame their initial nerves and stood tall for the green and gold.

PACESETTER: Freshman cross-country runner Alison Maloney takes it all in stride as she goes through her practice routine on the Notre Dame campus. (Photo courtesy of Alycia Sandella.)

Alison's performance was just the beginning of a very impressive 2025 campaign on the cross country circuit for the graduate of Elm City Montessori School.

Her season highlights included a fantastic first-place showing among a field of 81 runners in the Connecticut River Valley Invitational (junior varsity) meet. She burst through with a time of 21:44 despite having to battle through a sore ankle.

"I had tendonitis in my ankle, and about halfway through the season I didn't know if I could keep going," said Alison, who entered the season having never run cross country. "It hurt at times so it was a challenge for me, but I managed to push myself."

The West Haven resident's inner strength and determination certainly impressed Andreozzi.

"She had minimal training, and that injury limited her running dramatically, but she not only won that race but also two other junior varsity invites," he said.

But the best was yet to come as Alison emerged victorious in a varsity meet that included Branford, Sacred Heart and Amity.

The secret to her success was mental as well as physical.

"You have to keep thinking that you're going to get through it, and tell yourself to never give up," Alison said. "You know you have to keep the pace in order to (win) and be consistent in the way you run."

Three's company in coed debut

But it wasn't a solo act of exceptional positives by any means for this cross country sneaker trio.

As the season progressed, Mia and Yamilet demonstrated measurable improvement from that initial 42-minute result to 33-34 minutes later in the season.

"Their improvement was wonderful," Andreozzi said. "To see the look on their faces when they (shattered) that initial time was for me a personal highlight in the season."

For Yamilet, who also lives in West Haven as does Mia, being new to cross country meant a tough summer in terms of the regimen she would have to endure to be her best running self.

"There were days in the summer when I just didn't want to run, but I told myself that if I didn't go out and run I would not improve at all," said Yamilet, who attended Harry M. Bailey Middle School. "I wasn't the fastest person (in the beginning) but I kept at it and I was able to get better."

DYNAMIC DUO: Green Knights' cross-country runners Mia Delgado and Yamilet Lembrino-Ortiz work in tandem to achieve positive results on the course.

Mia, who completed her studies at the Betsy Ross Brada Arts and Design Academy (formerly Betsy Ross Arts and Magnet School), initially shied away from sports until Yamilet encouraged her to give cross country a try.

"I came to Notre Dame for the academics, but joining cross country actually changed my perspective of sports," Mia said. "Being here in the community improved my overall view of everything the school has to offer and how sports might fit in."

And although her decision to be a runner with the Green Knights came very close to the start of the season, Mia picked up on the routines pretty quickly.

"Once cross country started, and I had a few practices with the team, I could see my improvement," she said. "I was doing better with things like how I use my speed and stretching it out over the entire race. You really have to push yourself through all the mental and physical challenges."

While it was admittedly difficult in the early going for all three girls, they received tremendous support from their teammates on the cross-country squad.

"The boys stepped up and taught the girls about skills like stretching, hydration, intervals and strides," Andreozzi noted. "They enjoyed rooting for the girls and vice versa."

He recalled that back in the summer one of his captains, Alberto Torres, volunteered his time to come out and help the girls with the proper way to prepare themselves for the rigors of the fall season of meets.

As more girls enter Notre Dame for the 2026-27 school year, Andreozzi sees a bright future for coed cross country.

"With some new additions next year, the program will grow, and the girls will have a better understanding of how to train and prepare to run cross country next year," he concluded.